According to a report by Natasha Bita published on Perthnow.com.au (March 7) “Kids in foster care have hit an all-time high, after a 20 per cent surge in cases of abused and neglected children last year.”

She writes: “The federal government’s Australian Institute of Health and Welfare will reveal today that 12,240 children were put into foster care during 2011/12, resulting in a record 39,621 foster children.

More than 100 Australian children were classified as victims of abuse or neglect every day during 2011/12.”